Public land closures and advisories

Overview

Public land and natural resources within these areas are managed under the Public Lands Act and the Public Lands Administration Regulation. Under this legislation, temporary or long-term closures of public land trails, areas and roads can be used to address public safety concerns and conservation objectives.

Trail and area closures and advisories

Be aware of your surroundings. There may be damage to trails and stream crossings that are unmarked.

Select an area or trail below to view full closure details.

Road closures and advisories

Select a road below to view full details.

Legislation

The provisions in the Public Lands Act and the Public lands Administration Regulation incorporate the best practices of what the department has always done when there was a need to close an area that includes:

Section 48 of the Public Lands Administration Regulation: Provides the reasons and the process to be followed for closure of vacant public land for periods of up to 28 days.
Sections 96 and 97 of the Public Lands Administration Regulation: Provide for the process by which roads authorized under Licence of Occupation (LOC) may be closed by an order of a director. A director’s order that authorizes the closure of a road under an LOC is to be registered and a copy of the order is to be made available to the public.
Section 71.2 of the Public Lands Act and Section 184 of the Public Lands Administration Regulation authorizes a director to issue an order to prohibit or restrict entry into an area.
Closure of Area 184
(1) The director may, by order, restrict or prohibit, for any specified period of time, entry into all or any part of the lands within a public land use zone.
(2) An order of the director under this section is in effect from the time it is posted publicly by the Department.
(3) A person shall comply with any order made and posted pursuant to this section.

Contact

For more information about public land trail and area closures, call 310-LAND.

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Toll free: 310-LAND (5263)
Email: [email protected]

Advisory status	Temporary
Area affected	Public land north of the hamlet of Nordegg
Effective dates	February 27, 2026 until further notice
Details	FireSmart mulching operations are currently underway in the area. Some areas may be temporarily closed. Use caution and follow all posted signs.
Resources	Map – Nordegg FireSmart mulching operations advisory

Closure status	Temporary
Area affected	Taunton Trestle Day Use Road
Effective dates	February 4 to April 2, 2026
Details	Dates are subject to change. The Taunton Trestle Day Use access road is closed due to hazardous icy conditions. For further information about the closure, call the Rocky Mountain House office during regular business hours at 403-845-8250 or 310-LAND (5263).
Resources	Map – Taunton Day Use Area Road Closure (February 4 to March 4, 2026) Notice of Closure – Taunton Day Use Area Road Closure (February 4 to March 4, 2026) Map – Taunton Day Use Area Road Closure (March 5 to April 2, 2026) Notice of Closure – Taunton Day Use Area Road Closure (March 5 to April 2, 2026)

Closure status	Temporary
Area affected	Muskeg Falls Trail
Effective dates	Current to June 1, 2026
Details	Closed for construction.
Resources	Map – Muskeg Falls Trail Closure

Closure status	Temporary
Area affected	Black Mountain Trail Network
Effective dates	December 1 to March 22, 2026
Details	Dates are subject to change. Access to the Black Mountain trails will be closed during timber harvest operations. For further information about the closure, call the Rocky Mountain House office during regular business hours at 403-845-8250 or 310-LAND (5263).
Resources	Map – Temporary Area Closure – Black Mountain Trail Network (December 1 to December 28, 2025) Map - Temporary Area Closure – Black Mountain Trail Network (December 29 to January 25, 2026) Map - Temporary Area Closure – Black Mountain Trail Network (January 26 to February 22, 2026) Map - Temporary Area Closure – Black Mountain Trail Network (February 23 to March 22, 2026) Notice of Closure – Temporary Area Closure – Black Mountain Trail Network (December 1 to December 28, 2025) Notice of Closure - Temporary Area Closure – Black Mountain Trail Network (December 29 to January 25, 2026) Notice of Closure - Temporary Area Closure – Black Mountain Trail Network (January 26 to February 22, 2026) Notice of Closure - Temporary Area Closure – Black Mountain Trail Network (February 23 to March 22, 2026)

Closure status	Temporary
Area affected	Highway 11 to Twin Lakes trail
Effective dates	August 7, 2025 until further notice
Details	The Hwy 11 to Twin Lakes trail currently has a large section that is flooded and is not passable on foot. Please use caution or plan an alternative hike.
Resources	Map – Twin Lakes Advisory

Notifications

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Public land closures and advisories

Overview

Trail and area closures and advisories

Road closures and advisories

Legislation

Contact

Closure status	Restricted use
Area affected	Three riparian restoration sites have been identified: Non-designated trail on public land, travelling over the unnamed tributary to Shunda Creek Radiant Creek Teepee Pole Creek
Effective dates	May 28, 2024 to May 28, 2026
Details	Restricted use is in effect for the areas shown on the below maps. All access apart from foot access is now prohibited to restore federally protected riparian habitat in the critical habitat zone for bull trout. If necessary, hunting as defined in the Wildlife Act and fishing as defined in the Fisheries (Alberta) Act are permitted (foot access only). Wheeled or tracked vehicles, equestrian traffic and other recreational vehicles access is prohibited to these sites. Restricted use is in place to prevent further impacts to bull trout habitat at this site due to recreational use of the area, and to prevent damage to the riparian restoration area, including riparian plantings that need time to establish. Entry points will be blocked with boulders and/or signage. Map – Tributary to Shunda Creek Restoration Project Map – Radiant Creek Restoration Project Map – Teepee Pole Creek Restoration Project
Resources	For more information, call the Alberta Parks – Rocky Mountain House District House: 403-845-8349 Conservation officers will be enforcing the area closure under the Public Lands Administration Regulation. Violations are subject to a penalty of a minimum $300 fine under the Public Lands Administration Regulation. Do not cross the boulder barriers and follow all signage.

Closure status	Closed until further notice
Area affected	The Wapiabi Cave is located north of Nordegg.
Effective dates	July 16, 2010 to present
Details	Wapiabi Cave is currently closed to reduce the risk of white-nose syndrome (WNS) infection in bats. Bats in these caves are susceptible to WNS, a fungus that has caused the mortality of large numbers of hibernating bats at caves in Eastern Canada and the United States. Public exploring the caves are suspected of introducing the fungus and infecting the bats.
Resources	Fact Sheet – White-Nose Syndrome in Alberta

Closure status	Temporary
Area affected	Abraham Lake
Effective dates	April 30 to December 1, annually
Details	No motorized vehicles April 30 to December 1 below the high water mark or on lake bottom. Abraham Lake is a reservoir formed by the Bighorn Dam – water levels in the area fluctuate dramatically throughout the year as the dam helps regulate flows in the North Saskatchewan River. It is dangerous to drive onto the lake bottom as water levels can change quickly, leading to vehicles getting stuck, being trapped and flooded over. Fluids and contaminants from abandoned vehicles, as well as garbage and human waste from camping, can impact water quality when lake levels rise, which is a concern for downstream drinking water and fish habitat. Stay above the high water mark (where the vegetation starts/stops growing on the bank) to avoid facing a fine ($300) and getting stuck (tow bills average $1,500).
Resources	This is enforceable under the Public Lands Administration Regulation.

Overview

Trail and area closures and advisories

Nordegg – FireSmart mulching operations advisory

Taunton Day Use Area – Road closure

Muskeg Falls Trail – Closed for construction

Black Mountain Trail Network

Highway 11 to Twin Lakes trail – Temporary advisory

Centre of Alberta Natural Areas Walking Trail – Temporary closure

TransAlta Road/Ghost River – Temporary firearms use restriction

Bighorn Backcountry – Riparian restoration areas

MacKenzie Creek Trail – Temporary closure

Agricultural dispositions GRL38838

Agricultural dispositions GRL32636 and GRL40602

Bighorn Backcountry – Abraham Lake vehicle restriction

Bighorn Backcountry – OHV use on sections of Highway 734 (Forestry Trunk Road)

Bighorn Backcountry – Wapiabi Cave

Advisories and news releases

Road closures and advisories

Licence of Occupation (LOC) 770462 Access Road

Licences of Occupation (LOC) 111519, 111600 and 111712 Access Road

Licence of Occupation (LOC) 100202 Access Road

Licence of Occupation (LOC) 3803 Access Road

Licence of Occupation (LOC) 005466 Access Road

Licence of Occupation (LOC) 920770 Access Road

Licence of Occupation (LOC) 930882 Access Road

Licence of Occupation (LOC) 840059 Access Road

Legislation

Contact